LATEST REVIEWS BY THE POPCORN PANEL
No-holds-barred reviews of movies, TV shows, and streaming services by film and TV connoisseur Alex Cearns. 

GODS OF TENNIS

Six of the tennis greats from the 70’s and 80’s are featured in this three part doco series. Set around the courts of the iconic Wimbledon tournament, Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Chris Everet, Arthur Ashe, Bjorn Borg, and John McEnroe share their rivalries, trials and tribulations. An insightful look into the stars of the golden era of tennis, back when racquets were made from wood and warming up before a game was unheard of. One for the fans!

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7.9/10

THE SUBSTANCE

In her return to leading lady status, Demi Moore excels as Elisabeth Sparkle, an ageing actor and tv aerobics star. On her 50th birthday, she jumps at the invitation to try a treatment that creates a younger version of herself (Margaret Qualley as Sue.) She soon finds out that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This is a sad tale of hating what you see in the mirror and being desperate to turn back the clock at any cost. The cinematography and sound really add to the tension in this film. Frequent close up shots create a realistic grotesqueness you can’t look away from and the graphic, squelchy audio that accompanies them will haunt you in your dreams – or nightmares. SPOILER ALERT! This is not for the squeamish and it kicks off near the end wth more fake blood than a Tarantino movie – 36,000 gallons or 136,274+ litres to be exact. I didn’t know what “body horror” meant before watching it, but I sure do now. Demented and visceral, I couldn’t look away.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 10/10

THE WILD ROBOT

A stunning animated feature from the talented team at Dreamworks, based on the beloved children’s book by Peter Brown. The film narrates the journey of an assistance robot named Ros (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o) who finds herself on a remote island populated by wildlife. To survive, Ros must learn to exist harmoniously with the creatures she encounters. Pedro Pascal, Bill Nighy, Ving Rhames, Catherine O’Hara, and Mark Hamill also lend their voices to various animal characters. Themes of love, perseverance, and acceptance flow throughout the story and the animation beautifully depicts the untamed nature of the island and its inhabitants. Plus I only cried twice! There are more books in ‘The Wild Robot’ series, so fingers crossed for two more movies as visually glorious and heartwarming as this one. It’s been billed as “The greatest DreamWorks movie ever” and I have to agree. Exceptional! See it in the cinema!

SCORE:

Alex's Score 10/10

Amanda’s Score 10/10

SPEAK NO EVIL

James McAvoy leads the cast in this English-language version of the 2022 Danish film of the same title. During their vacation, two families (each with a young child) form a strong connection. However, when one family accepts an invitation to stay at the remote farm of the other, they soon discover that not everything is as it seems. SPOILER ALERT! As the tension escalates, they find themselves fleeing from a trio of pathological serial killers, desperate to survive. The story unfolds quickly and the violent conclusion leaves a lasting impression. Thrilling, uncomfortable and with a creepy rendition of ‘Eternal Flame’.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

THE ASSEMBLY

Mentored by Leigh Sales, fifteen journalism students with autism aged from 18 to 40 interview some of Australia’s most famous faces. They bravely push through their nerves and anxiety to ask creative, hard hitting, and often unfiltered, questions. They delight in meeting and interacting with their guests, who include Delta Goodrem, Hamish Blake, Adam Goodes, Anthony Albanese, Sam Neill and Amanda Keller. Raw, fun and a joy to watch, the dedicated students are the real stars of this documentary series.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

THE PERFECT COUPLE

Wealthy socialites Greer and Tag Winbury (Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber) are staying at their luxurious $40 million vacation home on Nantucket Island, just off Cape Cod, to host the wedding of their middle son. Surrounded by friends and family (mostly supercilious people who care more about money than morals), the rehearsal event appears to go well, until a body is discovered on their beach the following morning. Matriarch Greer is a renowned author with 27 bestselling novels to her name and a public profile to protect. As police interview everyone from the maid to the wedding planner, this whodunnit murder mystery reveals that each guest has something to hide. Tension mounts until the final episode conveniently reveals the Winbury’s dark secrets and the resulting resolution feels a bit too convenient. Regardless, it’s still intriguing.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7.9/10

MY NEXT GUEST NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION WITH DAVID LETTERMAN AND MILEY CYRUS

David Letterman refined his celebrity interview techniques during 33 years of late-night talk show hosting, and his expertise is evident in the series ‘My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.’ His affable, conversational approach encourages guests to relax, and when paired with the ever authentic Miley Cyrus, the result is an engaging, fun and enjoyable interview. Both Letterman and Cyrus exude approachability, with Cyrus impressing through her grounded perspective as well as her vocal talent. She sure can belt out a tune! Their friendly dynamic leaves viewers wanting more and wishing for twice the run time.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

TRAP

M. Night Shyamalan’s latest film stars Josh Harnett as Cooper, AKA ‘The Butcher’, a serial killer who takes his young daughter to a concert, only to find that the police have cordoned off the exits in their search for him. While the premise may sound intriguing, the execution falls flat with wooden acting, a lack of chemistry between characters, and an absurd, far fetched plot. Cooper’s demeanour becomes more suspicious as he tries to find a way out of the stadium, but the hundreds of police present are frustratingly incompetent and fail to realise that he’s walking amongst them. That’s just the warm up for this film to get even more disappointing and ridiculous as it goes on. Give it a hard pass.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 3/10

CHIMP CRAZY

Director Eric Goode, renowned for his work on ‘Tiger King’ presents this compelling four part doco that delves into domestic chimpanzee ownership in the United States. Eric highlights the unregulated exotic animal industry, which allows individuals to acquire any animal they desire without supervision, management, or monitoring. Animal broker Tonia Haddix, is determined to keep her “pet” chimps at home, and continually defies legal restrictions imposed by animal rights organisation PETA. Haddix’s penchant for oversharing and narcissistically seeking the spotlight undermines her credibility and like all of the other featured chimp owners, her complete lack of morals and ethics is exhibited by her exploitation of these animals. This is a difficult watch at times, as it draws attention to the harsh, cruel realities faced by the chimps and the emotional disconnection of their supposed caretakers. But what I found most compelling was Tonia’s misguided belief that she is a credible animal advocate and how she inadvertently reveals her delusions and dishonesty. She really thinks she is getting a good edit when in actual fact, she is sinks herself every time she opens her mouth. Thankfully her abhorrent behaviour eventually leads to accountability. Eye-opening, insightful, and underscoring the urgent need for the legal protection of exotic animals in America.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

RUNT

Eleven year old Annie (Lily LaTorre) hatches a plan to save her family’s farm by winning an overseas dog agility competition with her best friend, Runt (rescue dog Squid). Adapted from the award winning book ‘Runt’ by Craig Silvey and mostly filmed in Western Australia, this movie will captivate dog lovers of all ages and those who delight in a sweet, robust story. LaTorre is marvellous as Annie and is complemented by an ensemble of exceptional Aussie actors including Jack Thompson, Celeste Barber, Deborah Mailman, Jai Courtney, Matt Day, and her real life brother Jack. With a perfect mix of humour and drama, and the added bonus of adorable dogs, this quintessentially Australian production will take you on a roller coaster of emotions, from crying one minute, to laughing the next. At the Event Cinemas Innaloo global premiere, Craig Silvey referred to ‘Runt’ as “A little bit of sunshine” and it is all that and so much more. Make it a priority to add this film to your “Must See” list and enjoy a heartwarming experience with your family; it’s a joy that’s truly worth sharing.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 12/10

REBEL RIDGE

Former Marine Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) embarks on a quest for vengeance after a group of corrupt police officers, led by Chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson) steal his cousins’ bail money. The build-up of tension constantly ebbs and flows, leaving you hopeful for an epic Police vs Richmond confrontation … but (SPOILER ALERT) Richmond never fully unleashes. At least 30 minutes could’ve been cut from the 133 minute run time to remove the bits that drag and to tighten it up. This film has its moments but didn’t quite take it far enough for me. To be an action great, it needed more action … and less smoke b*mbs. The relevance of the title to the plot also feels like an afterthought, where no one could come up with anything better.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6/10

BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE

What an entertaining and nostalgic film! All 104 minutes are vintage Tim Burton, complete with his trademark special effects and unique animation style. The returning cast delivers outstanding performances, while the newcomers seamlessly integrate into the whimsical world of the dead. Michael Keaton commands the screen as the uncouth and outrageous Beetlejuice, earning the film’s most laugh-out-loud moments, with Catherine O’Hara closely following suit. This sequel remains faithful to the tone and visuals of the 1988 original, and is set to rocking tunes. It exceeded my expectations and is thoroughly enjoyable. Loved it!

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

KAOS

Take the stories of Greek mythology, introduce the characters to a contemporary setting, and accompany them with a banging soundtrack, and you have eight-part streaming series ‘KAOS.’ Starring Jeff Goldblum, in one of his most outstanding roles, as the egotistical and unraveling god Zeus, this dark comedy offers a fresh perspective on how the Greek deities might interact in today’s world and navigate modern life. With its superb casting, sharp script and impressive set design, ‘KAOS’ has a similar vibe to Baz Luhrmann’s iconic 1996 film ‘Romeo and Juliet’, sans the Shakespeare. If you are familiar with the fables of Greek mythology it will blow your socks off, and if you aren’t, you might just learn a thing or ten. While it won’t appeal to everyone’s taste, those who seek something unique and artistic in a series will appreciate its brilliance. Absolute mastery that will leave you wanting more! I can’t wait for season two. EDIT: There won’t be a season two – Netflix is not renewing it. 😢

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9.9/10

MILLI VANILLI

This documentary delves into the rise and fall of the iconic 80s duo Milli Vanilli, comprised of Robert Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan. Renowned for their infectious hits, striking looks and captivating dance moves, they quickly became a global sensation, earning a Grammy Award following their six-times platinum debut album. However, their glittering careers came to a sudden halt when the truth emerged: they had been lip-syncing and didn’t sing their original songs, revelations that had long-lasting impacts on their careers and lives. Interviews, combined with archival footage, delves into those behind the scandal, including the role of their manager, who had a history of dubious music practices, and how he manipulated Rob and Fab through the promise of wealth and fame to maintain the facade. A stark insight into the extremes of celebrity aspiration and how easy it is to exploit vulnerable artists.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

FLY ME TO THE MOON

Starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum, this stylised work of fiction intertwines drama with old-school romance. Taking place in the late 1960’s, the impressive performances of the cast, engaging (sometimes comedic) dialogue, and meticulously recreated sets make it compelling viewing. Slightly long at just over two hours, this is a quirky story offering an alternative narrative to the historical Apollo 11 moon landing. Dust off your conspiracy theories and enjoy.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE

When hospice resident Samira (Lupita Nyong’o) takes a day trip to New York City with other patients, she finds herself in the middle of an alien invasion. The aliens track humans though sound and stalk the city from end to end, killing wantonly. This prequel to the two ‘Quiet Place’ movies shows the arrival of the aliens via fireballs but fails to explain where they originate from or their motivations in attacking Earth. It’s overly sentimental at times and depicts a swift but shallow connection between Sam and fellow survivor Eric, played by Joseph Quinn. I found it hard to connect to both main characters as neither was overly likeable. Although the visual effects are impressive and sound is used effectively to heighten the tension, the horror elements are more suggestive than explicit. Nyong’o gives a convincing performance as Sam, maintaining a heightened state of fear throughout. Plus there’s a pretty cute cat called Frodo who seems to have nine lives. It falls short compared to the other films but remains entertaining.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6.5/10

AMERICAN MURDER: LACI PETERSON

In December 2002, Laci Peterson, who was eight months pregnant, vanished from Modesto, California. Within weeks, her husband of five years, Scott Peterson, became the primary suspect. After Laci’s body was found in San Francisco Bay in April 2003, Scott was charged with the murders of both Laci and her unborn child. This documentary meticulously reconstructs the timeline of events surrounding Laci’s disappearance and features in-depth interviews with her mother, friends, and Scott’s family members. A tragic crime, carried out by a methodical perpetrator for reasons still unknown, ultimately saw justice prevail.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

THE UNION

Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry team up in this apparent ‘explosive espionage action comedy.’ Despite its impressive descriptors, it’s actually a total trash bag. The attempts at humour miss the mark, resulting in a 1 hour and 49-minute-long unfunny joke you’ll be begging to see the end of. The performances are overcooked and the storyline is so far fetched it must’ve been written during a fever dream. It’s truly dreadful but viewers will either love it or hate it.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 1/10 because people turned up on set

MH370: THE PLANE THAT DISAPPEARED

In an age where you can be tracked 24/7 through your smart phone, how could Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 just disappear? This three part documentary tries to answer that question and puts forward several theories on what possibly occurred, some more plausible than others. The MH370 story is told through a combination of archival footage, eyewitness testimonies, and interviews with the families of the 239 passengers and crew members aboard the flight. It highlights the Malaysian government’s inadequate response to the situation and their unsatisfactory communication with the families of the victims. Someone must know something … but who? Ultimately, it is up to the viewer to draw their own conclusions about the events of this tragic journey. The circumstances are both frustrating and perplexing, leaving numerous questions unanswered, and the plane still missing.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

ALIEN ROMULUS

A group of Gen Z friends decide to leave their home planet, weary from relentless toiling in the mines. They escape to a derelict space station, seeking cryogenic pods to use during a voyage to a new world … but they encounter something far more sinister – aliens. It’s hard not to compare the original ‘Alien’ films to this one and this instalment lacks the elements that make those movies so iconic. Maybe it was the Sigourney Weaver factor? Despite having an ‘R’ rating, it fails to deliver sufficient gore, horror, or scares to warrant such a high classification. The alien interactions felt predictable, possibly due my familiarity with the earlier films and with six main characters you know some of them are going to be expendable. SPOILER ALERT! The two ‘synthetics’ (robots) were irritating (one weirdly reminded me of JarJar Binks and the other was a resurrected character, CGI’d into existence using the likeness of an actor who has passed away) and there were a few disconnects in the story line. On a positive note, the sets were realistic and detailed, and the lead actress Cailee Spaeny (who I panned in my review of ‘Civil War’) did a reasonable job. It didn’t (face) suck but it wasn’t as good as I’d hoped it would be. There will blatantly be a sequel. Also where do aliens get grillz from?

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7/10

OWNING MANHATTAN

This reality series steps into the world of real estate mogul Ryan Serhant (of ‘Million Dollar Listing New York’ fame) and opens the doors to some of the most expensive apartments in the Big Apple. It predominantly focuses on the New York real estate industry, showcasing the intense competition among agents and delving into themes of rivalry, conflict, and personal challenges. While consummate professional Ryan consistently navigates these dynamics with poise and skill, his firm (‘Serhant’) appears to attract cut throat individuals who prioritise their own ladder climbing above all else … including loyalty. Theres no real depth to this show but it serves as an entertaining option for background viewing. Ryan is the stand out star.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7/10

BORDERLANDS

Based on a video game, ‘Borderlands’ is set in the dystopian land of Pandora, home region of the main character, bounty hunter Lilith (Cate Blanchett.) After a 36 year absence she returns to Pandora and teams up with a diverse ensemble of eccentric characters, including soldier Roland (Kevin Hart), obnoxious child Tina (Ariana Greenblat), irritating robot sidekick Claptrap (voiced by Jack Black), scientist Tannis (Jamie-Lee Curtis), and psychopath Krieg (Florian Munteanu). Their collective mission is to rescue Tina from her predetermined fate. The film is a blend of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and ‘Mad Max,’ with elements of ‘Wall-E’ thrown in. Its fast pace is punctuated by a few humorous exchanges and retorting one liners. The special effects are average in places and there are several plot holes that left me with unanswered questions. The dialogue is quite basic, suggesting an intended appeal to a younger audience. As someone unfamiliar with the video game, I approached it purely as an action film clearly designed as the first installment of a franchise. With that in mind, it almost delivered.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7/10

LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY

Scientist Elizabeth Zott (Brie Larson) pushes back against the 1950’s patriarchy in an era where women are relegated to domestic roles. When she’s asked to host a cooking show on television, Zott frequently challenges the status quo and turns mundane meals into lessons in chemistry … inspiring a city of housewives in the process. With subplots featuring personal tragedy, racial discrimination and finding joy again, this gem of a series is worthy of its 10 Emmy award nominations. Heartfelt, heartbreaking and maddening at times. Every woman will relate!

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8.5/10

SIMONE BILES: RISING

Another timely watch to coincide with the Paris Olympics, this two part doco reveals what happened when the world’s greatest gymnast, USA’s Simone Biles, got the “twisties” at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. With compelling insights from her husband, family, and teammates, Biles opens up about her mental health management and her relentless pursuit to rise once again to the top of her sport. Favourite quote – responding to the internet trolls, Biles confidently states “They can’t even do a cartwheel!” Touché, they definitely can’t. A champion who came back from the brink and won her 5th Olympic gold medal today.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8.5/10

BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE

When their dead former boss gets framed the bad boys, Mike Lowry (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence), must clear his name and flush out a rat within the Miami Police ranks. Before too long the tables turn and they find themselves on the run from the law, with their families lives at risk. In keeping with the previous movies from the franchise, instalment four is filled with big shoot outs, pumping action and witty banter. Laurence steals the show with the best one liners. There’s also some very up close and personal camera angles which are pretty unique. Slightly cheesy but in a good way. Easily watchable!

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

PRESUMED INNOCENT

A thriller filled with atmospheric tension, suspense and plot twists. Jake Gyllenhaal leads as Rusty Sabich, a married Chicago prosecutor with two teenage kids, who is charged with the murder of his lover and colleague Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsve). While Rusty faces a very public legal trial, behind-the-scenes he tries to repair his relationship with his wife Barbara (Ruth Negga.) The cast delivers solid performances, the script is finely crafted, and the cinematography exudes a stylised yet sombre atmosphere. Under the helm of showrunner David E. Kelley, this miniseries keeps viewers engaged until the last 10 minutes, when it falters in its attempt to neatly tie up all loose ends in a far-fetched way. The conclusion fell short of expectations and left much to be desired. Had so much promise!

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7.5/10

FAKE

When journalist Birdie Bell (Asher Keddie) meets farmer Joe Burt on a dating app she has high hopes for their burgeoning relationship even though they don’t seem overly suited. When numerous red flags appear, Birdie begins to question Joe’s intentions. As time goes on, she becomes paranoid and wonders if she’s imagining his indiscretions or if he really is playing her. Soon the truth becomes obvious to everyone except Birdie. A well written and strongly acted Aussie drama featuring two infuriating main characters – one who’s blinded every step of the way and the other who’s a manipulative lying con artist. You’ll be yelling at your TV screen! A depressing true story based on how much some people are willing to endure in the pursuit of love.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7.5/10

DEADPOOL VS WOLVERINE

Vulgar, graphic and violent – essentially everything you’d expect from a Deadpool movie. Like its predecessors, this final instalment is action packed and frequently breaks the 4th wall to directly address the audience. It has a slightly convoluted plot padded out with lots of butt jokes and crude humour. Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) on screen together is a treat, even if they do spend most of the movie fighting each other, then regenerating, and fighting each other, and regenerating, and … you get the idea. Fave scene is the Madonna song massacre (no spoilers here – you’ll know it when you see it) and fave character is DogPool (aka Peggy who won the Britains ugliest dog in 2023.) Least fave part was the villain who wasn’t convincing. There’s a cool cameo by Blake Lively though. With a banging sound track and big stunts this is a fitting end to an iconic anti hero franchise. Wait until after the credits for a bonus scene.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

UNDER PARIS

Someone had a macabre sense of humour when they decided to release a film about a mutant mako shark in the Seine River, six weeks before it hosts several open water swimming events as part of the Paris Olympic Games. What a mind f@ck! The rampant shark in ‘Under Paris’ is much larger than she should be and is breeding at a rapid rate … and eating people! A shark researcher and water police team are tasked with eliminating her before she turns a large triathlon swim into a bloodbath. I was expecting this to be very b-grade and a total rubbish but I enjoyed it and was pleasantly surprised overall. The CGI was mostly decent thanks to the 30 million AUD budget and the acting and script didn’t totally suck. There are the usual cliched characters who you know won’t survive but someone has to be the sacrificial shark food. I was on the side of the shark for the whole film and thought the ending was fitting. With this being one of the most watched movies of the year for Netflix, part two is already in the works. Oh and definitely don’t swim in the Seine, no matter what they tell you. It’s yuk.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

PHOTOGRAPHER

Seven world renowned photographers open up about their childhood experiences, motivations, and passion projects in this engrossing documentary series. Featuring breathtaking cinematography that embodies the quality of a National Geographic production, each episode profiles a different photographer and showcases the mastery of their chosen genre. Colourful, inspiring and with a “wow” factor.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

ALL OF US STRANGERS

A poetically melancholic story about a middle aged adult trying to reconcile the death of his parents when he was 12 years old. Adam (Andrew Scott), a solitary writer residing in a nearly vacant apartment building, travels back to his family home and engages in poignant conversations with his deceased parents, exploring the unspoken moments of his childhood that he never had the chance share. When he meets mysterious neighbour Harry (Paul Mescal), the possibility for love presents itself. As two of the most in-trend male actors on the planet right now, both Scott and Mescal are excellent, giving their characters prefect measures of vulnerability and fragility. Perplexing, dark and deep, its open-for-interpretation ending may leave some viewers wanting a more clearly defined outcome.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

AMERICA’S SWEETHEARTS: DALLAS COWBOY CHEERLEADERS

The intense audition process and tough training regime of the iconic Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders (DCC) is exposed in this 7 part documentary series. Filmed over 12 months with unfettered behind the scenes access access to the young women who secured a coveted place in the 2023 squad, this is an eye opening look at the rigorous physical and emotional demands of the job and the coaching team who are responsible for putting their performances together at every home game. For the women who dream of being on the DCC team, the sacrifices are worth it and they put all other aspects of their lives on hold, while questions are raised about mental health, eating disorders, body image, crippling lifelong injuries, and gross underpayment. There’s a zero tolerance policy for bullying in the DCC and it was refreshing to see so many women supporting each other without a single nasty comment or raised eyebrow. Compelling, perplexing and often problematic, I’m not sure if the DCC brand is better off for this expose.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

TWISTERS

Pretty much got what I expected with this one. 80% of the screen time was epic tornado action, with masterful special effects and gripping sound. It really conveyed how terrifying these phenomenon can be and the visuals were 10/10. The other 20% was schmaltz, over-acting, predictable dialogue, jerk characters, country music, nonsense about ploymers taming a tornado, and putting sensationalism over science. Daisy Edgar-Jones as lead Kate wasn’t commanding as a main star with her one expression and Glenn Powell (as self proclaimed cowboy ‘tornado tamer’ Tyler Owens) feels same-old given he’s being cast in so many recent roles. It’s also unrelated to the original ‘Twister’ film other than featuring tornadoes so fans of the first one will be disappointed. Was good to see the action on the big screen but don’t expect much more than a lot of blustering. Also, a reminder that humans will never win when Mother Nature decides to kick off.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 5.9/10

THE MAN WITH 1000 KIDS

An eye opening investigation into Dutch citizen Jonathan Meijer who is accused of fathering more than 500 children all over the world. He signed up to multiple sperm donation websites in different countries and abused their donation limits (on average 25 donations only to 12 families maximum are allowed) due to poor checks and balances and no legal precedents. He seemed like the perfect donor with his long luscious locks and popular YouTube channel. A sickening story of a man with a god complex who was eventually stopped by a group of committed parents and a dedicated lawyer. Kids at what cost? Buyer beware!

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8/10

SPRINT

From the creators of ‘Forumla 1 – Drive to survive’, this six part series peels back the curtain and takes you into the domains of the fastest runners on the planet – the men and women vying for the 100m and 200m sprint championship titles. It follows their riveting and engaging back stories, training regimes, pressures and rivalries. With unprecedented trackside access, you’ll be fist pumping for your favourites to win. It’s colourful, full of big personalities and fast. A perfect precursor to the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

AFTERSUN

Sophie melancholically reflects on a holiday taken 20 years earlier with her father (Paul Mescal). Her memories are infused with hand-held video footage captured during the time they spent at a Turkish beach resort. This is the methodology of the entire film – short clips, some related and some seemingly random and unrelated, pieced together. Eleven year old Sophie views her dad through idealistic eyes and has her own coming of age moment while they are away. Frankie Corio expertly plays young Sophie with nuances beyond her years – she was chosen from 800 girls who auditioned. Lauded by critics, I felt like this film had too many gaps to fill and left subtleties open ended for viewers to interpret. Unpopular opinion – they chose art over substance. I missed the point … and what happened to Mescals character mostly went over my head.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6/10

A FAMILY AFFAIR

Famous actor Chris Cole (Zac Efron) falls for widow and author Brooke Harwood (Nicole Kidman) who is 16 years his senior and the mother of his assistant Zara Ford (Joey King.) Zoey knows Chris all too well and does not approve of his burgeoning relationship, fearing her mother will get hurt. SPOILER ALERT: She subsequently tries to sabotage them. Cue the intervention of her wise grandmother Leila Ford (Kathy Bates) who talks sense into Zoey and helps her make things right. The older woman / younger man plot has been used in films a gazillion times before and this one slots in amongst them in the middle – it’s decent with a few funny one liners. Nothing outstanding but good enough to entertain for 2 hours.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7/10

BLUE LIGHTS – Season 1 & 2

This gritty Irish police series set in Belfast follows the early careers of several rookies officers working as front line responders. It’s a gripping and intense drama with excellent acting, an impressive cast and strong storylines. The first episode waned a bit and led me to wonder where it was going, but then the characters evolved and the pace picked up. Was glad I stuck with it. While it’s not quite as authentic as ‘The Bill’ (best Police show ever, according to me, a former police officer) it’s still compelling viewing. Worth the time investment.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8.5/10

THE HOLDOVERS

Cantankerous Barton Academy Boarding School teacher Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) draws the short straw and has to supervise students who are required to stay on campus over the Christmas break. They all have baggage and feel abandoned by their parents. When only one student remains, smart but antagonistic Angus (Dominic Sessa in his first acting role), he is forced to spend a tumultuous two weeks with Paul. SPOILER ALERT! As angry, flawed individuals they eventually being to understand each other and form an unlikely bond. Whilst the theme of “grumpy teacher winning over wilful student” isn’t new, this film has enough to keep it fresh – impeccable acting, engaging dialogue, and dreamy cinematography that transports you to the 1970’s. Actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph who plays grieving school cook Mary Lamb won an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. A heartwarming holiday classic with spirit.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

I AM: CELINE DION

A raw, unfiltered documentary on how stiff persons syndrome has impacted singer Celine Dion. She openly and honestly shares the way she’s managed the painful disease for the past 17 years and the repercussions it’s had on her voice and career – all without feeling sorry for herself or seeking sympathy. Despite everything, she’s held onto her sense of humour and remains kind. A scene where she impersonates Sia on the ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ is hilarious and shows her wit and willingness to play. Her entire life has been about performing and without it, she’s lost a huge part of her identity. By the 20 minute mark I’d cried … and again at the end. It’s devastating to see someone with such a gift no longer be able to use it and the scenes of Celine in the midst of a medical episode are distressing and difficult to watch. After 27 albums and 250 million album sales, she will forever be one of the greats with an unparalleled, belting voice but right now her story is truly heartbreaking. This doco serves as a reminder that life can be cruel, regardless of who you are or what you have.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9.5/10

MAY DECEMBER

The Mary Kay Letourneau story with a twist. Gracie (Julianne Moore) and Joe (Charles Melton) have been together for 24 years and have three children but their “relationship” had sinister origins – it started when Joe was just 12 years old and Gracie was 36. The story of Joe’s abuse caused public outcry and Gracie was jailed for her crime. When actress Elizabeth (Natalie Portman) scores the role of Gracie in an upcoming indie movie, she gets close to the couple to character study Gracie and to learn as much about her life as she can. This sets off a chain of events that opens up the wounds of unprocessed trauma and leads Joe to question the loss of his childhood. Your skin will crawl at Gracie’s way of thinking and you’ll question Elizabeth’s movies, while Melton’s portrayal of Joe steals the show. Intriguing with a lot of subtext.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 7/10

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THE BOY, THE MOLE, THE FOX AND THE HORSE

A 34 minute long animated adaptation of the book by Charlie Mackesy, this is a sweet story about friendship, bravery and kindness. Minimalistic in style, a mole, fox and horse join a lost boy on his journey to find his way home. Many lessons are learnt along the way and all four are forever changed at the end.
Favourite line: Mole – “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Boy – “Kind”. How gorgeous! Has universal appeal for all ages.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

ANATOMY OF A FALL

When Samuel is found dead in the snow outside his chalet, there’s initial uncertainty as to how he got there – did he jump, did he slip or was he pushed? Police decide his death is suspicious, and his tumultuous relationship with wife Sandra (Sandra Hüller) is uncomfortably laid bare, with all of their secrets exposed. A gripping courtroom drama ensures, focussing on the murder trial of Sandra and the impact it has on her vision impaired son Daniel. The use of music (particularly @50cent’s P.I.M.P.) and sound throughout ‘Anatomy of a fall’ is poignant and complements the excellent acting and script. Deserving of the Palme d’Or in 2023 and the Best Screenplay Academy Award for Justine Triet. Plus there’s a wonderful dog called Snoop, played by border collie Messi. A brilliant must watch!

SCORE:

Alex's Score 10/10

KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON

A true story of love, betrayal, greed and murder. It’s the early 1920’s and the Native American Osage Nation residents are prosperous due to the discovery of oil on their Oklahoma land. When several die under suspicious circumstances, the FBI eventually arrives to investigate and exposes a murderous, greedy plot to grab their oil rights. Starring an a-class line up of Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone and co-written and directed by Martin Scorsese, this crime drama takes a little known piece of dark American history and brings it into the mainstream. At 3 hours 30+ minutes long, it’s a commitment to get to the end and feels like a bit of a slog, but is worth it to see justice prevail. Nominated for 10 Academy Awards but did not take any home.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8.5/10

MADAME WEB

Comic book fans will be disappointed and non comic book fans will be disappointed. Marvels ‘Madame Web’ adaptation tries so hard to be a girl-power kick-ass good vs evil action fest, but it falls short. It’s far fetched with ridiculous dialogue and average special effects. Dakota Johnson is a clairvoyant paramedic responsible for saving three young girls from a bad guy who looks like the wish version of spider man. She just doesn’t have lead actor energy. The most obvious open door for sequels is shown at its conclusion, but after dismal ratings, there apparently wont be a part two for a decade. Maybe they’re hoping we would’ve forgotten about this one by then? Even Dakota wants out saying “I will probably never do anything like that again … I don’t make sense in that (superhero) world!”. A waste of 80 million to make and if you paid to see it you’d be peeved.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 3/10

THE ZONE OF INTEREST

A historical drama about the life of Nazi SS Commandant Rudolf Hoss, his wife Hedwig, and their five children, whose home borders the Auschwitz concentration camp. The excess and privilege this family enjoys will disgust you from start to finish. They have zero regard for the atrocities committed right on their doorstep, preferring to act oblivious to it while relishing in the spoils of their lifestyle. Only one family member eventually develops a conscience. Little dialogue and sounds of anguish from the camp, combined with happy, bright lifestyle visuals adds to the juxtaposition of the free vs the enslaved. Minimal close up scenes make you feel like an inside observer. It deserved its 2024 Academy Award for Best Sound. Uncomfortable, haunting and thought provoking.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 9/10

FINGERNAILS

A machine can tell if you are truly in love by analysing your finger nails, which (for an unexplained reason) have to violently be removed to be tested. Partners Anna (Jessie Buckley) and Ryan (Jeremy Allen White) are confirmed as the real deal, but when Anna takes a job at the actual love institute where the tests are conducted she meets Amir (Riz Ahmed) and starts to have doubts. This film had a decent premise but the actual fingernail testing machine looked to be a relic from the 1960’s and had zero credibility in determining if two people are a love match. The actors did the best they could with the script, which tried to be clever and arty but failed. I had zero empathy for Anna and all the empathy for Ryan who she seemed to be falling out of love with. It’s a bit cringey and without a clear conclusion. Felt ripped off at the end.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6/10

ARGYLLE

Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard) is the author of a popular spy novels series who leads a reclusive existence with her cute cat Alfie. When her life starts to resemble her literary works, she becomes entangled her in very own espionage thriller. As a parody of the spy movie genre, everything in this film is deliberately overdone: the big stunt scenes, cheesy acting, sometimes obvious CGI, ridiculousness of the multiple plot twists and the looooong running time … but it doesn’t quite hit the mark. The highlight is the Henry Cavill and Duo Lipa dance number within the first few minutes and after that it’s nothing to write home about. Absurd and silly with a few humorous lines, take it as a bit of fun and it will be palatable.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 6.75/10

AMERICAN FICTION

Professor and author Monk (Jeffrey Wright) releases a best selling novel and is paid an advance worth millions. It would’ve been a dream deal except he wrote it purely to “satisfy the tastes of guilt-ridden white people”, exploiting the stereotypes of African American culture, and based his pseudonym on a fictional criminal fugitive. At the same time, Monk has major life challenges to navigate, including the sudden death of his sister, caring for his mother who has dementia, navigating a new relationship and rebuilding family ties with his gay brother. When his book gets nominated for a prestigious award, things take a turn for the unexpected. Winner of 2024 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, Wright’s performance perfectly captures the emotional journey of Monk, who is ultimately forced to face himself. Excellent ending.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 8.9/10

SOUTH PARK – THE END OF OBESITY

This animated television special satirises the challenge of navigating the American healthcare system and tackles the Ozempic weight loss craze. It focuses on 10-year-old Cartman’s desire to be a “regular-sized” child. It’s been more than 20 years since I’ve watched an episode of ‘South Park’ and maybe I’m just too old for it now. I initially felt some nostalgia, but soon realised that I’ve moved on, even if the toilet humour hasn’t. One for the fans only.

SCORE:

Alex's Score 5.5/10

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